The dawn of the New Year in Goa was marked by sorrow as a series of tragic incidents, including fatal road accidents and a drowning, claimed two lives and left multiple people injured, casting a shadow over the festive celebrations.
Fatal Crash on Manohar Parrikar Bypass
A young man lost his life in a devastating solo accident on New Year's morning in Canacona. The victim was identified as Melari Ningappa Bewawadar, a 28-year-old from Jayantinagar, Karnataka.
According to police reports, the accident occurred on the Manohar Parrikar bypass. Bewawadar was travelling from Margao towards Karwar when he lost control of his motorcycle, violently colliding with a road divider. The impact was so severe that he died on the spot. The force of the crash dragged the motorcycle approximately 20 meters from the point of impact.
Following standard procedure, an inquest was conducted, after which his body was transferred to the South Goa district hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Multiple Collisions Cause Injuries in Bicholim and Curchorem
In a separate incident at Sarvan in Bicholim, two individuals were hospitalized after a vehicle mishap on a steep road section. The driver lost control, leading to a chain of events.
The errant vehicle first hit a parked scooter, injuring its rider who was standing nearby. It then overturned, trapping the driver inside the car. Prompt action by bystanders, who broke open the car doors, freed the driver. Both injured persons were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Reports indicate that a pillion rider on the scooter had a narrow escape, having stepped away just moments before the collision.
Earlier on the same day, another accident caused significant damage on the Curchorem-Quepem road at Bansai. A vehicle crashed into a telephone pole, resulting in extensive damage to the front end of the car.
Tourist Drowns at Morjim Beach on New Year's Eve
The tragedies were not confined to the roads. A festive trip turned fatal for a tourist from Bihar at Morjim beach on New Year's Eve. The victim, Aditya Narayan, 26, along with his friend Aditya Raj, 25, also from Bihar, had arrived in Goa on Wednesday to celebrate.
While swimming, both men began to drown. They were pulled out of the water and taken to medical facilities. However, Narayan was declared dead at the Tuem community health centre. Raj was admitted to the Goa Medical College (GMC) in a critical condition.
An officer from the Mandrem police station stated, "The two men came to Goa to ring in the New Year. They went for a swim and were pulled out to sea. Both began to struggle and one drowned."
This incident follows another drowning at Morjim in December 2024, where 25-year-old Varcky George from Bengaluru died while swimming with friends. In a related but non-fatal event on Wednesday, three men in their mid-20s from Karnataka were rescued by six Drishti Marine lifesavers after struggling to swim back to shore at Baga beach.
The series of unfortunate events has served as a grim reminder of the importance of road safety and water vigilance, especially during holiday periods when tourist activity is at its peak in the coastal state.
